Rachael Ann Bates Ayer Howard

Scottsburg, VA Join us in remembering the special life of Rachael Ann Bates Ayer Howard. Rachael passed away peacefully at her home on the morning of May 31, 2017. She was born on January 13, 1940 in Charleston, West Virginia and grew up in Vermont. Rachael Ann graduated from Rutland High School in Rutland, VT. She went to school to become a model at John Robert Powers in Boston, MA. She worked as a home health care provider in Woodstock, VT and in South Boston, VA. She was also a CNA at Berry Hill Nursing Home in South Boston, VA. Rachael enjoyed working with the Rescue Squad in South Boston, VAas an EMT/I.V. Technician.She finished out her working career as a special education teacher assistant at Halifax County High School. She loved coaching and encouraging children in Special Olympics. Other special accomplishments – She was the Chairman for the Fresh Air Fund in Woodstock, VT, which involved identifying, transporting, and matching children from New York City with families in rural Vermont. She also loved being a foster parent with her husband, Francis, for over 35 years. Rachael married Francis Fenelon Howard on October 3, 1959 in Woodstock, VT. They were married for 57 years. Their life together has been full of adventures. Rachael and Francis shared a great love of caring for children of all ages. They devoted their lives to being caring, supportive people who opened their home and lives to making a positive change in the lives of many children. Rachael maintained many special relationships with a lot of children she helped foster. Rachael and Francis have four children oldest to youngest: Randy, Rick, Roxanne, and Raemona. Randy Howard lives in Scottsburg, VA with his partner Tina Francisco. Rick Howard lives in Scottsburg, VA with his wife Catherine and their daughter Hailey. They also have two sons, Luke and Walter. Luke lives in Halifax, VA with his wife Michelle and two children Clay and Lily. Walter is in the Marine Corp and lives in California. Roxanne Howard, lives in Asheville, NC. Raemona Howard, lives in Anchorage, Alaska with her partner, Joe Rickman. Raemona’s daughter Chelsea works and lives in Europe. Rachael has four sisters. Brenda Ferrie who lives with husband Al in Queensbury, NY, Carol Hawley (Rutland, VT), Janet Hayward (Fair Haven, VT) and Nancy Jean Boynton (Rutland, VT). Rachael has one brother, Russell Ayer, who lives in Colorado with his wife Bonnie and family. We also wish to recognize Francis’ other family members, the Barrs. Also, there are numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, past special family members, especially Catherine and Clyde Mosher. We have been blessed with so many wonderful friends who have been thought of with much love. The family will receive friends at the home on Saturday, June 3 between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. A celebration of life honoring Rachael Ann Bates Ayer Howard will be planned at a later date.